Giambi does what Bonds doesn't

[ctan]

I give props to Jason:

http://www.ceciliatan.com/baseball.html - "Big Man"

-ctan

[38Special]

What is this? A link to something you wrote on your blog?

[destelle]

nice article cecilia - i believe we all don't like what has been happening but at least giambi had responded with truthfullness and dignity...
-dawn

[Nome]

I don't understand what you are trying to say. Giambi didn't come fully clean. Nor did Sheffield or any of the other players using Steroids. It has been estimated that at least 50% of all ML players have used steroids.

Hopefully, but I doubt it, MLB willl totally get rid of it's use.

But until that time I am totally against everyone on this forum giving Bonds the bad time. He is no worse than all the rest of the users. Sorry he beat our beloved Babe Riuth's HR record, but there is no doubt in my mind that he is a superiour athlete in his own right.

Now get rid of steroids and blame everone who uses it, not just Bonds. Don't forget, MLB encouraged it's use.

Andy

[Jersey Yankee]

Nice article, Cecilia.

Barry could use some of the humility and truthfulness that Jason has exhibited. It's bad enough that there are very strong allegations of Barry's having used. It's another to pretend you didn't know squat, as Barry has done.

Despite his prior wrongdoing, at least Jason was being somewhat honest with us. Now why can't Barry just do this also?

[Euclis]

Nice article, Cecilia.

Barry could use some of the humility and truthfulness that Jason has exhibited. It's bad enough that there are very strong allegations of Barry's having used. It's another to pretend you didn't know squat, as Barry has done.

Despite his prior wrongdoing, at least Jason was being somewhat honest with us. Now why can't Barry just do this also?

Giambi was honest with the grand jury, that's it. If I recall correctly, Giambi was denying all involvement with this AFTER he gave his grand jury testimony and BEFORE the testimony was leaked to the public. After that, he had no choice; I'm certain he didn't want his testimony leaked. He couldn't very well go on lying once it was clear that he told the grand jury that he knowingly used steroids.

[Jersey Yankee]

Giambi was honest with the grand jury, that's it. If I recall correctly, Giambi was denying all involvement with this AFTER he gave his grand jury testimony and BEFORE the testimony was leaked to the public. After that, he had no choice; I'm certain he didn't want his testimony leaked. He couldn't very well go on lying once it was clear that he told the grand jury that he knowingly used steroids.

Yeah, I should've clarified this. It was *AFTER* the leak that Giambi became honest. Sorry if my earlier post seemed misleading.

Still, with Barry's leaks, when will he be honest with us? Or better yet, will he?

[chanman7483]

Giambi Apologizes, but Avoids the 'S' Word

February 11, 2005, 12:49 PM CST

NEW YORK -- Jason Giambi is sorry. He just wouldn't say for what. The All-Star first baseman twiddled his thumbs, crossed his legs and fidgeted in his chair when he came to Yankee Stadium on Thursday to make his first public comments since it was reported in December that he told a federal grand jury he took steroids for at least three seasons.

He said he was sorry five times. He apologized three times.

To the New York Yankees. To his teammates. To the fans.

But he never said why. And he never talked about using steroids, never mentioned the word.

I'm a Giambi fan, but there is nothing "Big man" about that. Somehow I could see a conversation between Steinbrenner and Giambi going like this:

Giambi: Oh, Godfather, I don't know what to do. I don't know what to do.
Don Steinbrenner: [shouts] You can act like a man!
[Don Steinbrenner slaps Giambi]
Don Steinbrenner: What's the matter with you. Is this how you turned out?

[ring403]

I don't understand what you are trying to say. Giambi didn't come fully clean. Nor did Sheffield or any of the other players using Steroids. It has been estimated that at least 50% of all ML players have used steroids.

Hopefully, but I doubt it, MLB willl totally get rid of it's use.

But until that time I am totally against everyone on this forum giving Bonds the bad time. He is no worse than all the rest of the users. Sorry he beat our beloved Babe Riuth's HR record, but there is no doubt in my mind that he is a superiour athlete in his own right.

I'm with you on this one, Andy. I just can't summon the moral outrage at Bonds, or any of the tiny handful of players who have been publically "outed" as PED users. They represent a small fraction of the players who have actually used and continue to use. This has been going on for decades and almost certainly includes some of the biggest and most beloved figures in history of the sport.
I don't much like Bonds as a person, but I certainly still enjoy watching the perfection that is his swing. Personally, I don't let the reality of steroid use in baseball affect my enjoyment of the game, or the admiration for those who are able to play it at it's highest level.

[Nome]

Giambi was honest with the grand jury, that's it. If I recall correctly, Giambi was denying all involvement with this AFTER he gave his grand jury testimony and BEFORE the testimony was leaked to the public. After that, he had no choice; I'm certain he didn't want his testimony leaked. He couldn't very well go on lying once it was clear that he told the grand jury that he knowingly used steroids.

Thank you

Andy

[Nome]

I'm with you on this one, Andy. I just can't summon the moral outrage at Bonds, or any of the tiny handful of players who have been publically "outed" as PED users. They represent a small fraction of the players who have actually used and continue to use. This has been going on for decades and almost certainly includes some of the biggest and most beloved figures in history of the sport.
I don't much like Bonds as a person, but I certainly still enjoy watching the perfection that is his swing. Personally, I don't let the reality of steroid use in baseball affect my enjoyment of the game, or the admiration for those who are able to play it at it's highest level.

I am with you babe. I enjoy baseball strictly for what goes on between the lines. Bonda and Pete Rose are two of baseballs greatest players.

Period.

Andy

[SoCal Pinstriper]

I'm with you on this one, Andy. I just can't summon the moral outrage at Bonds, or any of the tiny handful of players who have been publically "outed" as PED users. They represent a small fraction of the players who have actually used and continue to use. This has been going on for decades and almost certainly includes some of the biggest and most beloved figures in history of the sport.
I don't much like Bonds as a person, but I certainly still enjoy watching the perfection that is his swing. Personally, I don't let the reality of steroid use in baseball affect my enjoyment of the game, or the admiration for those who are able to play it at it's highest level.

I have never been bothered by steroid use in the least. I accepted the reality that probably half the ball players I was watching were using PEDs long ago, and, like yourself, I just cannot get worked up over it.

My dislike of Bonds is based on his personality, not his association with PEDs.

[Mangycur]

I'm a Giambi fan, but there is nothing "Big man" about that. Somehow I could see a conversation between Steinbrenner and Giambi going like this:

Giambi: Oh, Godfather, I don't know what to do. I don't know what to do.
Don Steinbrenner: [shouts] You can act like a man!
[Don Steinbrenner slaps Giambi]
Don Steinbrenner: What's the matter with you. Is this how you turned out?

LMAO Nothing beats a good Godfather reference.

I agree. Giambi seems like a very nice guy but I can't see anything admirable in his actions.

[Rich]

Giambi was honest with the grand jury, that's it. If I recall correctly, Giambi was denying all involvement with this AFTER he gave his grand jury testimony and BEFORE the testimony was leaked to the public. After that, he had no choice; I'm certain he didn't want his testimony leaked. He couldn't very well go on lying once it was clear that he told the grand jury that he knowingly used steroids.

It's much more important that a person be truthful when he or she is under oath. Giambi, unlike Bonds and Sheffield, apparently was.

That's why I think he has much more credibility, and better character, than they do.

[Yankeeah]

It was a year and a month ago that Giambi convened a press conference in New York to apologize for his involvement in the steroid scandal.

No, he didn't. He aplogized, but for nothing.

[Rich]

No, he didn't. He aplogized, but for nothing.

You didn't know what he was apologizing for? Everyone I know did.

If he had used the word steroids he risked having his contract voided. No reasonable person would do that.

[Euclis]

It's much more important that a person be truthful when he or she is under oath. Giambi, unlike Bonds and Sheffield, apparently was.

That's why I think he has much more credibility, and better character, than they do.

That's what you see...I see a man who was too afraid to lie under oath, to commit perjury, who continued to lie in public until he no longer could.

If he'd admitted to taking steroids (which, btw, are a big reason why he got that contract), then I'd see a guy who has more credibility, character, etc. than Bonds/Sheffield. If the grand jury testimony had never been leaked, he'd still be sitting in the clubhouse with a straight face saying he had no idea what was going on.

He had enough character to not perjure himself, but not enough to tell the truth about himself to anyone until he was outed, and even then, he couldn't say what he was sorry for. He had enough character to tell the truth when that truth held no consequences to him personally.

If he had used the word steroids he risked having his contract voided. No reasonable person would do that.

True, but that isn't exactly a point in his favor. Steroids helped him get that contract; he is still reaping the benefits of PEDS.

[Michaels07]

Roger, stll has the HR record, put a steroid symbol next to Sosa, McGuire and Bonds.

They are fake, phony and frauds.

[Yankeeah]

You didn't know what he was apologizing for? Everyone I know did.

If he had used the word steroids he risked having his contract voided. No reasonable person would do that.

I knew exactly what he was talking about. But he didn't apologize for being involved in the steriod scandal. He, offically apologized, in general. I don't think Giambi is "The Bigger Man" for apologizing for nothing.

I think had Giambi, Sheffield, McGwire etc would have come out, admitted, in full, their mistake, then it would be them being the bigger man. They could use their platform to educate kids about the dangers of steroids etc. I don't put Bonds in this category because I think would dislike Bonds no matter what he did.

[TheBabe04]

Roger, stll has the HR record, put a steroid symbol next to Sosa, McGuire and Bonds.

They are fake, phony and frauds.

F*** an asterix. Strike them from the record book altogether, the way the NCAA does to teams that cheat.

As for Giambi, he was truthful in court, and that was the right thing to do (as opposed to Bonds and Sheffield who out and out lied). However, his "press conference" was a sham, and was not exactly a shining beacon of how a grown man should take responsibility for his actions.

[yanksconstantino24]

That's what you see...I see a man who was too afraid to lie under oath, to commit perjury, who continued to lie in public until he no longer could.

If he'd admitted to taking steroids (which, btw, are a big reason why he got that contract), then I'd see a guy who has more credibility, character, etc. than Bonds/Sheffield. If the grand jury testimony had never been leaked, he'd still be sitting in the clubhouse with a straight face saying he had no idea what was going on.

He had enough character to not perjure himself, but not enough to tell the truth about himself to anyone until he was outed, and even then, he couldn't say what he was sorry for. He had enough character to tell the truth when that truth held no consequences to him personally.

I completely agree. I don't understand how other people can view Jason Giambi as an honest person. I see him as a lying cheater who only admitted the truth after he got caught.

[Jasbro]

He had enough character to not perjure himself, but not enough to tell the truth about himself to anyone until he was outed, and even then, he couldn't say what he was sorry for. He had enough character to tell the truth when that truth held no consequences to him personally.

.

Really? No consequences to him personally? Please. He worked his ass off to bring himself back from the brink of the abyss. All you are looking for is a pound of flesh.

Everybody knew what he was apologizing for. And everybody knew why he couldn't say the word "steroids". Everybody. Anyone who says that they don't know what he was apologizing for is revealing cracks in their own character, IMHO.

If you choose not to accept his apology, no reasonable person would fail to understand why.

But no reasonable person would base their acceptance of his apology on whether or not he publicly committed suicide in the process, either.

[yanksconstantino24]

Really? No consequences to him personally? Please. He worked his ass off to bring himself back from the brink of the abyss. All you are looking for is a pound of flesh.

Everybody knew what he was apologizing for. And everybody knew why he couldn't say the word "steroids". Everybody. Anyone who says that they don't know what he was apologizing for is revealing cracks in their own character, IMHO.

If you choose not to accept his apology, no reasonable person would fail to understand why.

But no reasonable person would base their acceptance of his apology on whether or not he publicly committed suicide in the process, either.

I realize Giambi could have gotten himself into alot of trouble if he said the word, "steroid." But, I also think he would have gained alot more respect from people if he would have been willing to do that to himself. I would have less of a problem with Jason if he would have risked losing the contract that he got because he cheated.

[Jasbro]

I realize Giambi could have gotten himself into alot of trouble if he said the word, "steroid." But, I also think he would have gained alot more respect from people if he would have been willing to do that to himself. I would have less of a problem with Jason if he would have risked losing the contract that he got because he cheated.

He wouldn't have risked losing his contract -- he would have lost it. Period. And with it, any chance of ever making things right with anybody.

So nobody is worthy of redemption in your book? All the work he did to rebuild his body, his reputation and his career mean nothing to you at this point? Not to mention the contribution he made last year -- while clean -- in the Yankees' division title run.

Why is it that only way you can accept his apology is if he threw away his career? Don't you think he earned every dollar of his salary last year?

[yanksconstantino24]

He wouldn't have risked losing his contract -- he would have lost it. Period. And with it, any chance of ever making things right with anybody.

So nobody is beyond redemption in your book? All the work he did to rebuild his body, his reputation and his career mean nothing to you at this point?

Why is it that only way you can accept his apology is if he threw away his career? Don't you think he earned every dollar of his salary last year?

Once a player uses steroids and breaks rules, I have no reason to trust that player again. That player (Giambi, or someone else) broke rules to better himself once, so why wouldn't he do it again.

[Jasbro]

Once a player uses steroids and breaks rules, I have no reason to trust that player again. That player (Giambi, or someone else) broke rules to better himself once, so why wouldn't he do it again.

So you don't accept any apologies from anybody in your life? Once they break a rule, they are beyond redemption, no matter what they subsequently do?

And the only way you can trust a person again is if their apology is contingent on him destroying himself in the process?

[yanksconstantino24]

So you don't accept any apologies from anybody in your life? Once they break a rule, they are beyond redemption, no matter what they subsequently do?

I accept apologies for things that are accidents. I don't accept apologies when they're are for things like cheating, stealing, or breaking rules that one knows he or she is not allowed to break. I just don't understand how someone can know that something is wrong, and go ahead and do it anyway.

Jason Giambi broke rules to make himself better and earn a huge contract. In that process, he could have really hurt other people, and maybe even did.

[Euclis]

Really? No consequences to him personally? Please. He worked his ass off to bring himself back from the brink of the abyss. All you are looking for is a pound of flesh.

Everybody knew what he was apologizing for. And everybody knew why he couldn't say the word "steroids". Everybody. Anyone who says that they don't know what he was apologizing for is revealing cracks in their own character, IMHO.

If you choose not to accept his apology, no reasonable person would fail to understand why.

But no reasonable person would base their acceptance of his apology on whether or not he publicly committed suicide in the process, either.

I didn't say that taking steroids had no consequences to him personally; I said that telling the grand jury that he knowingly took steroids did him no harm, and I stand by that. Grand jury testimony is supposed to stay sealed, and he confessed under that pretense; if the testimony hadn't been leaked, what harm would have come to Giambi?

Of course everyone knows what he was apologizing for. I do. You do. Nobody is saying they don't. Here's the thing: When you make an apology, you accept the consequences of your actions, and Giambi didn't do that. He cheated; for me to respect him, he would have to deal with that. He did not.

And btw, let's not call accepting the consequences of his actions suicide, ok? Someone would have signed him to a one year deal. He would have gotten his act together. He would have signed a decent deal, based on his performance over the last 2/3 of 2005. He would have lost his big contract, which he earned by using illegals performance enhancers. That, I can respect.

Instead, he's getting all the money he earned by cheating, and is somehow coming out smelling like a rose. That's what I don't like. If people want to put him above Bonds or Sheffield, that is their right. The only difference I can see between Giambi and those 2 are that he told the truth when that truth held no consequences to him personally, or to the money he is still owed.

[Jasbro]

I accept apologies for things that are accidents. I don't accept apologies when they're are for things like cheating, stealing, or breaking rules that one knows he or she is not allowed to break. I just don't understand how someone can know that something is wrong, and go ahead and do it anyway.

So there is absolutely nothing Jason could have done to earn your acceptance.

Then why pretend that you needed to hear the word "steroid" when your judgement of him is so absolute and final?

[Jasbro]

Instead, he's getting all the money he earned by cheating, and is somehow coming out smelling like a rose. That's what I don't like. If people want to put him above Bonds or Sheffield, that is their right. The only difference I can see between Giambi and those 2 are that he told the truth when that truth held no consequences to him personally, or to the money he is still owed.

The only difference? Not quite.

How about stepping up and enduring the wrath of a (justifiably) outraged public, and working like a dog to prove that he actually did deserve that contract while under intense and (justifiably) merciless scrutiny?

He has come out smelling like a rose because he has stepped up to become the anti-steroid poster boy at this point, when he could have done what the other users are doing and continue to insult our intelligence with ridiculous denials.

He has given us a great example of how contrition, hard work and humility can reap rewards that others are seeking through lies and cheating.

[yanksconstantino24]

So there is absolutely nothing Jason could have done to earn your acceptance.

Then why pretend that you needed to hear the word "steroid" when your judgement of him is so absolute and final?

Because atleast than he would be telling the truth.

[Jasbro]

Because atleast than he would be telling the truth.

But I thought that once a person is a liar, they are always a liar?

[yanksconstantino24]

But I thought that once a person is a liar, they are always a liar?

He'd still be a liar, but it would just be easier for me as a Yankee fan to root for him as a Yankee player, if he told the truth.

[Euclis]

The only difference? Not quite.

How about stepping up and enduring the wrath of a (justifiably) outraged public, and working like a dog to prove that he actually did deserve that contract while under intense and (justifiably) merciless scrutiny?

He has come out smelling like a rose because he has stepped up to become the anti-steroid poster boy at this point, when he could have done what the other users are doing and continue to insult our intelligence with ridiculous denials.

He has given us a great example of how contrition, hard work and humility can reap rewards that others are seeking through lies and cheating.

We'll just agree to disagree here

[Jasbro]

He'd still be a liar, but it would just be easier for me as a Yankee fan to root for him as a Yankee player, if he told the truth.

He DID tell the truth. He apologized. And you knew exactly what he was apologizing for. Everybody did.

Let's be honest with each other here. You wouldn't root for him no matter what he said. The only reason you want him to have said the word "steroid" is to see the guy destroyed for his crimes.

You yourself said you were incapable of forgiving a person who has done what he has done.

So why do you now demand blood from him as a condition for giving him something back that you know you are unwilling to give?

[destelle]

I still don't believe that anyone wouldn't have done what Giambi did. He told the truth under oath. He tried to protect his contract. Im sorry - but there is no way any of you wouldn't have done what he did. I don't condone what he did. But he still did more to come clean (as much as he could) than anyone else in this mess.
And if we are to believe the %s of players that were doing steroids, he's the first to come clean... of course without jeopardizing his livelihood. We all know what he did, he tried to apologize as best as he can...

[Giambina]

What was Giambi thinking!?

Make millions of dollars, playing for the New York Yankees and listening to the deafening cheer of 58,000 fans under the lights of Yankee Stadium...

or...

Sit at home, watching it on T.V., saying,"...but at least I gained the respect of those 10 fans".

Seems like an easy choice to me. He kept millions of fans as well as gained some new ones because of his apology. He made a mistake, and he knows that. To give up his entire career to satisfy a few people with ridiculously absurd expectations, who think they're owed something, would be absolute lunacy.

He doesn't need fans like that.

[Euclis]

What was Giambi thinking!?

Make millions of dollars, playing for the New York Yankees and listening to the deafening cheer of 58,000 fans under the lights of Yankee Stadium...

or...

Sit at home, watching it on T.V., saying,"...but at least I gained the respect of those 10 fans".

Yup, can't argue with that...pretty good argument for taking steroids.

[Jasbro]

Yup, can't argue with that...pretty good argument for taking steroids.

That post wasn't a justification for taking steroids, and you know it. It was a justification for not self-destructing in order to try to please those who will never be satisfied no matter what he does.

And it was right on the money.

It is wonderfully ironic how people can be judgemental and disingenuous at the same time, and still think they are taking the moral high road.

[Giambina]

I still don't believe that anyone wouldn't have done what Giambi did. He told the truth under oath. He tried to protect his contract. Im sorry - but there is no way any of you wouldn't have done what he did. I don't condone what he did. But he still did more to come clean (as much as he could) than anyone else in this mess.
And if we are to believe the %s of players that were doing steroids, he's the first to come clean... of course without jeopardizing his livelihood. We all know what he did, he tried to apologize as best as he can...

Exactly.

I don't know how many people out there who would insist on more punishment after being let off the hook. If you're given a second chance, you take it. Simple as that.

[Rich]

That's what you see...I see a man who was too afraid to lie under oath, to commit perjury, who continued to lie in public until he no longer could.

If he'd admitted to taking steroids (which, btw, are a big reason why he got that contract), then I'd see a guy who has more credibility, character, etc. than Bonds/Sheffield. If the grand jury testimony had never been leaked, he'd still be sitting in the clubhouse with a straight face saying he had no idea what was going on.

He had enough character to not perjure himself, but not enough to tell the truth about himself to anyone until he was outed, and even then, he couldn't say what he was sorry for. He had enough character to tell the truth when that truth held no consequences to him personally.

True, but that isn't exactly a point in his favor. Steroids helped him get that contract; he is still reaping the benefits of PEDS.

Why was Giambi the only player who was afraid to commit perjury? No matter how one analyzes those facts, it's impossible not to give some credit to Giambi, at least in relative terms, for being forthcoming.

Does that make him a saint? Of course not, but it does tend to indicate that he has some virtues.

Again, steroid usage has probably been rampant in MLB. We have all likely rooted for teams with players who have juiced. While that's disappointing, to expect any of them to disgorge themselves of their ridiculous contracts would be unrealistic in the extreme.

[Jasbro]

Exactly.

I don't know how many people out there who would insist on more punishment after being let off the hook. If you're given a second chance, you take it. Simple as that.

I agree. Why throw everything away to try to satisfy those who admit they will never be satisfied with anything you say?

Especially when it is obvious what you are apologizing for.

[JeterTheCaptain2]

Nice article, ctan!!! I wrote one myself about Giambi's comeback. Hope you like it.

http://www.xanga.com/Jeter_The_Captain_2

As Yankees fans we need to look at Giambi's Yankee career from 2005-on. Forget about the highs and lows of 2002-2004. As a baseball purist, Giambi's pre 2005 numbers are worthless and a product of cheating.

It took me until spring training this year to get back on his side and it had nothing to do with his second half performance. All year long, I couldn't choose whether to root for him or not. As all the names came out of those who cheated, I felt like if players wanted to succeed they had little choice.

When Giambi came up with Oakland, he was consider a good average hitter with some power, he was no where near the longball hitter he is today. Back then, he was an outfielder/third baseman who couldn't earn a spot as a 3B or OF on a team with his poor speed and below average fielding, players like him had to juice up to compete with the rest of the league. When McGwire was dealt to the Cardinals, it opened up a spot of Giambi at 1B - a "power positon." By no way am I condoning what Jason did and I still believe that what he did was wrong, but really more importantly the league was wrong for not doing something about this sooner.

Out of all the guys who cheated, he at least had the decency to admit to it. Bonds and Sheffield still deny it to this day even though there is so much evidence and media pressure. I find it easy to root for Giambi for the reasons why I was excited when he signed in the 2001 offseason - Jason Giambi is considered one of the nicest guys in the sport, is one of the most charitable professional athletes, has a great knowledge of Yankees history, is a great teammate and even though he's slow he still hustles down the line.

I never root against players because of their performance. A lot of guys failed in New York that I rooted for like Rondell White and Javier Vazquez. Whether Giambi hits .220 or .320, I'll cheer for him. Although - we the fans were mislead by his cheating in the first half of his career, I'll consider Jason as a Yankee from 2005 on.

[BobbyMurcerFan]

While I'm actually not convinced that Giambi told the WHOLE truth, he certainly told A LOT more than anyone else did. So I think it's abundantly clear Giambi conducted himself better than Bonds or Sheff did in front of the grand jury.

But Giambi was under oath, given immunity, and the testimony was supposed to be secret. Being forthright with the grand jury was not easy, but what were his choices? Do I:

1. Commit perjury? Or...

2. Tell the truth in secret testimony and receive full immunity for federal crimes that I have committed?

Giambi chose 2. Maybe Bonds and Sheff never really trusted that their testimony would stay secret. Maybe they thought they would never prosecuted. Maybe they just thought they could just lie their way through it. IDK.

So Giambi gets props for conducting himself better than Bonds and Sheffield have, no doubt. But, honestly, that's not exactly difficult company to best.

[Nome]

I have never been bothered by steroid use in the least. I accepted the reality that probably half the ball players I was watching were using PEDs long ago, and, like yourself, I just cannot get worked up over it.

My dislike of Bonds is based on his personality, not his association with PEDs.

And that's fine and I can respect that, even though it is not my opinion. But I find fault with those who find fault with primarily Bonds for his steroid use when it has been claimed that over 50% of the ML's have used them (Jose Canseco stated that, and I concur).

Andy

[Nome]

But I thought that once a person is a liar, they are always a liar?

Is there a person in this whole world who hasn't lied at least once? Then let him/her cast the first stone.

Andy

[Pinstriped2]

They're all cheats. The only difference is Giambi is a more likeable cheat than Sheff and certainly Bonds. However, if Bonds was indeed doing the amount and type of drugs "Game of Shadows" suggests, he is the biggest cheat of all. I'm so tired of hearing about how he still deserves accolades and an invite to the Hall of Fame because of his natural talent. Once he started (and this goes for all of them too) injecting himself with illegal substances that ends all credibility for any records he has broken or is going to break. Period.

The other BS I'm tired of hearing from sports writers and reporters is how we ALL deserve the blame for the juice era. The fans included. What?! The true fan watched the game before the 94 strike and was gonna be there after both sides settled. If you love the game you love it for all its facets, not just the long ball. The home run era was about bringing the casual fan into the fold. Not the die hards.

[DiMaggio5CF]

Jason Giambi gets no credit from me. Sure, he looks better when compared to Bonds and Sheffield, but being not quite as bad as two others doesn't make you a stand-up guy. If he was a stand-up guy, he wouldn't have done steroids.

Yes, he told the truth in to the Grand Jury, but how much of that was sincere and how much was to avoid a possible perjury charge? But again, telling the truth makes him better than the other two who lied, but it does not make him a terrific human being.

I also have to call into question the legitimacy of the apology. Was it sincere, or was it just a public relations move? Giambi had already been proven guilty in the minds of most people; if that apology had been issued when it was smooth sailing, it would have meant more to me than it did when Giambi was backed into a corner. Is it possible that Giambi made that apology sincerely because he's a stand up guy? Sure, but if he was a stand-up guy, he never would have done steroids.

Giambi cheated by using steroids, and so he loses the benefit of the doubt forever. I didn't expect him to put himself in jeopardy of losing his entire career, but he does lose credibility forever. Is that unfair to condemn a man for his entire career based on one period? Maybe, but this was a long, well-thought-out plan that involved cheating, not something that he did once in a weak moment and later regretted, and because of that, I will never trust him on the issue of steroids or cheating regardless of what he says. After all, I wouldn't hire a former burglar to paint my apartment just because he told me up-front about what he did and said he was sorry for it. If he was a stand-up guy, he never would have cheated in the first place.

I also have to ask myself about the end of Giambi's steroid use and whether it was because he saw the light or because he got caught. If there was no BALCO investigation, would Giambi have stopped using? And would he have still owned up to it and apologized to the fans for cheating? Or did those things happen only because he got caught?

Because he used steroids, Giambi will never be a stand-up guy in my eyes, no matter what he says regarding the controversy because his word is meaningless. I do think he deserved a second chance, which is why I never expected him to do anything that would take away his remaining career. But if he wants to legitimately apologize for the steroid controversy, then he's going to have to do something to prove it, something that means more than his word does. If Giambi was to give the Yankees the money from his contract that he doesn't deserve, for example, then I would believe his sincerity. If he figured out what he was worth in each season with the Yankees and gave back the remainder, that would mean more to me than his word ever did. I didn't expect him to forfeit his career, but if he's really sorry, he should do something to make it right rather than talking and hoping that it will make itself right.

Giambi made himself look much, much better than either Sheffield or Bonds because of how he handled the steroid situation. I don't deny that. But looking the best out of baseball's three worst steroid offenders is no grounds for praise and congratulations. How he handled the aftermath of steroid use does not make Giambi a stand-up guy. If he was a stand-up guy, he would not have used steroids.

[Nome]

That's like saying the girl is a little pregnant. Either you are a cheat or you are not. I do not look at Bonds as being a worse cheat than Canseco, Palmiero, McGuire, Sosa, Giambi, Sheffield or any of the others. It just seems that Bonds is being treated more harshly either because fans just don't like him or because Yankee fans hate that he has Babe's HR record.

Bonds and Rose are in my baseball Hall of Fame because of their on the field doings. In Bonds case MLB wanted him on steroids because it put fannies in the seats so blame Selig for making it happen, not Bonds. And let's now stop the use of performance enhancing substances.

Andy

[BobbyWeird]

My two cents is that they all look terrible about equally, and the game of baseball, as lead by Bud Selig, looks worse. Everything being talked about here was allowed to happen because baseball looked the other way until it was forced not to, and even now, the testing policy is weak and probaly open to easy ways to cheat around it. They don't even test for HGH (or try to), and virtually every player who has been nailed with steroids has also been associated with HGH.

It should come as no surprise that a signfiicant percentage of players would look for an edge. Giambi is a sympton, not the cause.